ABSTRACT
Calcification and inflammation are among the important cases of exudative age-related macular degeneration [E-ARMD]. The aim of the present study was to elucidate if there is any relationship between serum Osteoprotegerin [OPG], soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand [RANK-ligand] and E-ARMD. In a cross-sectional study, we compared 45 E-ARMD patients with 45 matched controls. Diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. Serum samples were analyzed for OPG, RANK-ligand, low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], total cholesterol [TC], and triglyceride [TG]. The levels of OPG and RANK-ligand were measured by ELISA methods. The mean age was 72.0 +/- 11.5 years in the E-ARMD group and 68.2 +/- 8.9 years in the control group [p=0.09]. The level of serum OPG was 132.10 +/- 75.49 pg/ml in the E-ARMD group and 94.88 +/- 61.65 pg/ml in the control subjects. E-ARMD patients had significantly high levels of OPG [p=0.012], as well as significantly high levels of LDL-C and TC [p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively]. We could not find any significant difference in RANK-ligand, HDL-C, or TG between two study groups [p>0.05]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the levels of OPG in E-ARMD patients. The present study showed that E-ARMD patients had high levels of serum OPG. It may act as a protective factor for E-ARMD or only as a secondary phenomenon of different processes of E-ARMD. Further prospective studies would be necessary for prognostic and predictive significance of OPG in patients affected by E-ARMD
ABSTRACT
To determine the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein [LDL] to oxidation in the plasma of male patients with wet type age related macular degeneration [AMD] and in a similar control group, in order to evaluate the LDL oxidative status as risk factor of AMD. We conducted this study in the Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Nikookari Eye Hospital ' Drug of Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran during the period between October 2004 and December 2005. Sixty male patients with AMD [mean age 67 +/- 16 years] with BMI 4.1 +/- 1.3 were selected as the patient group. The control group consisted of 60 males, apparently healthy, and without ophthalmologic signs and family history of AMD. Low-density lipoprotein was isolated by gradient ultracentrifugation and susceptibility of LDL to in vitro copper-mediated oxidation was assayed by measuring conjugated dienes production [lag phase duration] at 234 nm. Lipid and lipoproteins were determined by standard methods. Comparing with control, significant reduction in the duration of lag phase [p<0.004] and a significant increase in LDL-C concentrations [p=0.006], were noticed. No significant change in cholesterol [p>0.3], triglyceride [p>0.1] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [p>0.1] levels were found between control and patient groups. A significant negative correlation between Lag phase and LDL-C levels [p=0.004, r=-0.364] was found in the patient group. The increased LDL concentration and enhanced susceptibility of LDL to oxidation may play a roll in the wet type AMD process